Tag Archives: Asheville Sessions

Carolina Ceili is a four piece band right here in Asheville. Comprised of guitarist Darlyne Cain, fiddler Laurie Fisher, drummer Maggie Anderson, and Marcos Harkness on mandolin this eclectic group of talented professional musicians brings Irish jigs and Scottish ballads to life.

In late 2014, we had the pleasure of meeting New York based band All Boy/All Girl before their performance at Toy Boy Community Theatre. Compromised of seven young adults, this dynamic band showed us a hint of their talent while playing an acoustic set behind Pack Place in downtown Asheville. Led by Danielle Lovier, who sings and plays ukulele; All/Boy All Girl formed in 2010 in Philadelphia. Double Bassist Nicholas Rahn approached Danielle about accompanying her performance after hearing her first set at Rittenhouse Square Park. The duo spent the next 18 months playing together as buskers in Philadelphia as well as touring through 35 states and Canada.

Even the Animals blends dusky Americana with softly gritty indie rock, songs in soft focus, close to the microphone and transcending the standard take on contemporary and traditional folk. The songs are lyrically driven with shared harmonies creating a bittersweet atmosphere that is both wistful and cacophonous. The trio is led by Jeff Markham, and released an album in 2014 titled "The Lonesome Sea", which was recorded at Solomon Mines Studio in Fletcher.

RiverLink's RiverMusic continues Friday, June 12. to the River Arts District for its fourth big year! RiverLink has put together another exciting lineup of music, food and beer for 2015. Gates at the RiverLink Sculpture and Performance Plaza (144 Riverside Drive in the River Arts District) open at 5. The music starts at 5:30, with the second band at 6:45 and our headliner at 8:15.

After a short break, Asheville Sessions is back! We've been busy filming some amazing bands that we cannot wait to show you in 2015. The first band to help us kick off the new year is Nick Dittmeier and The Sawdusters. These guys hail from Southern Indiana, and are affectionately referred to as alternative country. We met up with Zane, Nick, and Aaron during their last time in Asheville and set them up at an iconic spot in Asheville that is perfect for recording. They delighted us with a stripped down version of their song My Grey Suite off of their new album The Light of Day.

From the plains of Springfield, Missouri, this indie rock band made their Asheville debut at The Grey Eagle in the River Arts District. Ha Ha Tonka is a collective of four extremely talented young men playing soulful Ozark Mountain music with a mixture of college rock. The name Ha Ha Tonka is a nod to the boys Ozark pride, as Ha Ha Tonka is a state park in southwestern Missouri. When we caught up with them to record this session before their show at The Grey Eagle, we were instantly captivated by how harmoniously these guys worked together. It was almost effortless on their part, and it made the filming all that more natural.

The River Rats formed in Asheville around early 2011 as a street busking project. Jumpstarted from several songs written by local singer/songwriter Andrew Scotchie, The River Rats have evolved from a stripped down guitar and harmonica duo to 5 piece rock soul and blues band. Based in music mecca of Asheville and fronted by Andrew Scotchie (guitars/vocals), the River Rats are currently on tour of the Southeast and are supporting 2 records: "Soul and Sarcasm" the bands first studio release of 2012 and the 2013 release of "BARNAROO BOOTLEG" a live record showcasing the bands' unique live energy.

Troubadour Seth Walker was born and raised here in North Carolina. Currently residing in New Orleans, Walker’s music has a NOLA influence, with gospel soaked fervor and gritty guitar in a funky melting pot flavor. The driving delivery and infectious down-home style of Seth Walker’s voice and songs resonate with Blues and Roots music. Listening to the intricate fretwork displayed in his music, it’s hard to believe that Seth’s first instrument was cello, learned at age 5. We could go on and on, but instead we encourage you to grab a beer, sit down, and check out his music for yourself. We met up with Seth at the release for his new album Sky So Blue at The Grey Eagle, here in the River Arts District. Check out the acoustic session we recorded in the Grey Eagle Green Room. This soul soothing song is called ‘Trouble’.

Crazy Tom Banana Pants has over the past few months became one of my favorite local bands to see live. Our videographer, Wes introduced us to Caleb Hanks and his lively band of miscreants a while back when we recorded them for Asheville Sessions. I was hooked. From their catchy guitar licks, amazingly talented horn section, and absolutely fantastic Whitney Houston cover (plus a ton of groovy originals), they have left me more than pleased.

This weeks musical session is local band The Moon and You. Rooted in the rich music scene of Asheville, NC, Ryan Furstenberg and Melissa Hyman began playing together for fun when both were part of successful bands touring the Southeast. When those bands went their separate ways, Furstenberg and Hyman chose to join forces rather than get a job. The result of this collaboration -- between an impossibly sassy cellist from New York and a whimsical fingerstyle guitarist from Eastern North Carolina -- is hard to forget, but easy to fall for.